Coin operated dispenser having a message means



June 1, 1965 M. w CHAPMAN I 3,186,588

COIN OPERATED DISPENSER HAVING A MESSAGE MEANS Fild Feb; 27, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 1 N O n k9 w o 9 1 0C 0 0 2 0 O o oo o \i. o n t \E 0 4 k a g o U U I] BE! 3 FIG INVENTOR. MARVIN W- CHAPMAN ATTORNEY June 1, 1965 M. w. CHAPMAN COIN OPERATED DISPENSER HAVING A MESSAGE MEANS Filed Feb. 27, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 n wi 2.

INVENTOR.

ARVIN W. CHAPMAN B22 ATTORNEY fa June 1, 1965 M. w. CHAPMAN 3,186,583

COIN OPERATED DISPENSER HAVING A MESSAGE MEANS Filed Feb. 27, 1963 5 SheetS Sheet 3 FIG. 4

lllllllllll'i' FIG. 8

INVENTOR. MARVIN W. CHAPMAN BY W%.JJ ATTORNEY June 1, 1965 M. w. CHAPMAN 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 2'? 1965 COIN OPERATED DISPENSER HAVING A MESSAGE MEANS Filed Feb. 27, 1963 June 1, 1965 M. w. CHAPMAN 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 w 91 w q 7 +0 m a. NQJMQJ MQJ Om, w h/ fl r 8 a rm may H Om; :\x xv m2 I ETM u: 09 M r 3 3 1L2 n5 o/ n 65 l N O mm: u

INVENTOR. MARVIN W. CHAPMAN United States Patent 3,186,588 COIN OPERATED DISPENSER HAVING A MESSAGE MEANS Marvin W. Chapman, 3108 Dornick Drive, Oklahoma City, Okla. Filed Feb. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 262,290 Claims. (Cl. 221-3) This invention relates to an improvement in coin operated article dispensing equipment and merchandizing means. More particularly, this invention relates to a coin operated article dispenser having a message device or means cooperatively associated therewith which is activated by the same coin that activates the dispenser.

Coin operated vending and dispensing equipment is used very extensively to market a host of products including making change but experience has demonstrated that those products, which are not supported by an aggressive advertizing program, are sold through dispensers at a considerable competitive disadvantage. Consequently, many merchandizers have lamented the lack of the opportunity to puff his wares and to solicit the purchase of his product prior to the selection of the article.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of-this invention to provide an audible message means activatable by the same coin or coins which activates the vending machine and thereby permits the vendor to influence the public to purchase his product.

Another object of this invention is to provide an audible message means cooperatively associaed with a coin dispenser to allow the prospective purchaser of a prodnet or service to be advised of certain things prior to his purchase. a

A further object of this invention is to provide equipment cooperatively associated with a coin operated dispenser to personalize the merchandizing of goods sold via said equipment.

A-still further object of this invention is to provide an audible message means Wihch may be used with any conventional coin operated dispenser without the need to take the dispenser out of service and return it to the warehouse to adapt or modify it whereby said message means may be used therewith.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, the invention, which comprises a coin operated dispenser having an audible message means cooperatively associated therewith and activated by the same coin or coins that activates the dispenser, is more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more specifically defined in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a multiple storagerack or compartment type dispenser having an audible message means cooperatively associated With it and having part of the front cover broken away to show the relationship of the various components of the message means to the article storage compartment.

FIGURE 2 is a partial end elevational view of FIG- URE 1 with the end panel of the cabinet removed to show the relationship of the coin path and the coin channel together with the switch means for operating the various devices.

FIGURE 3 is a view along 33 of FIGURE 2 showing the position of the coin in the coinpath in relation to the switch means used to energize the audible message means.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of another embodiment of the dispenser showing the article selector and a switch means integral therewith for re-activating the message means almost simultaneously with the release of the selected article.

FIGURE 5 is a schematic, partially block diagram of one embodiment of the message means.

FIGURE 6 is a detail schematic diagram of the audio-message means having an all transistor amplification system Which permits the message storage means, pickup means and amplification means to fit within the article storage compartment and which reduces the power required to operate said message means.

FIGURE 7 is a detail cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a detail view taken along lines 8-8 of FIGURE 6 of the switch associated with the amplification circuit.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, the coin-operated dispenser is designated generally by the numeral 10 and the article storage rack orcompartment are indicated by the numeral 11. Associated with each compartment or storage means 11 is an article selector or pull means comprising a hand member 12 extending backward as an elongated member 13, said elongated member, and a carrier means 14. Disposed beneath the lower end of the storage means '11 is an elongated recess like opening 15 to receive the article when it drops from th storage compartment.

The nature and mode of construction and operation of coin operated dispensers including money changers are well known. Some of the many kinds of dispensers are illustrated by the following US. patents bearing Numbers 1,979,043; 2,799,043; 2,838,077; and 2,834,512. Coin operated dispensers do not constitute a part of this invention except as set forth in the appended claims as part of the combination with the audible message means.

As indicated above, this invention comprises a coin operated article or product dispenser having cooperatively associated therewith an audible message means activatable by the same coin or other negotiable monies which dispose the dispenser to dispense at least one article.

In general, the coin operated dispenser comprises a cabinet 16 having at least one article storage means 11, a means for disposing the dispenser to dispense the article, a coin receiving means, an article selector, and the article release means. Normally, the cabinet 16 may be of many shapes, forms and sizes; and, in general, the exact shape, form and size of the cabinet is a function of the space available for its location in the merchandizing mart, rather than the type or kind of article to be sold.

Of course, it is appreciated that the type and kind of article or product to be vended from the dispenser may require the dispenser'to contain certain distinctive features and accessories. For instance, a vending machine for bottle beverages generally is considerably dilierent from a machine for vending cigarettes or candy or making change. One of the most striking differences probably is due to the need to cool the beverage. Where the beverage is dispensed from, then the dispenser must be equipped with accessories such as bulk storage, metering means and sometimes a blending or brewing means.

The article storage means of coin operated dispensers are divided generally into three kinds: viz. gravity feed, positive feed, and chain or force feed. This invention is applicable to any of the various kinds of article storage compartments.

customarily, the mutiple compartment, multiple article or brand, dispensers have a double rack'or track means (not shown) to increase the storage space availabe for the faster moving brands. Normally, the double track means shifts forward to move the article stored at the rear of the cornpartmeiit to the front when the front coin receptacle 22-. One end 20 of the coin channel 18 is,

in communication with the outside of the cabinet and V the other end.2 1 is in communication with receptacle 22;

This arrangement permits the coins to be deposited in the channel 18 at the end 20. As the channel angles down ward, the coin will .move downward through the registry mechanism to receptacle 2 2.

The coin receiving means may be of many types as disclosed by the technical and patent literature, and specifically, by US. patents having the following nume 2,837,191 The patents enumerated above also are intended to supplement applicants disclosure on this com plicated subject matter.

Referring again to FIGURE Z, a special adapter cas ing 301s shown attached to the frontof the cabinet '15 in juxtaposition over the open end 20 of the coin channel 18. Special adapter casing 30 is attached preferably to the cabinet by means of screws or'bolts 31. Casing 30: preferably :has openings so arranged to allow'the bolts 31 to pass through the casing:and'be'screwedinto or through the holes 32 which are used to attach the hollow flared member 33, shown in dotted lines in FIG-v URE 2, the cabinet; Normally flared member 33 forms sale.

hers: 634,506; 2,141,950; 2,799,430; 2,816,639; and

the entrance to the open end 29 of the coin channel and preferably member 33 is removed to permit adapter casing to be attached over open end 243.

Located within boir it) is the audible message acti-, vation means. The nature of the activation means is best seen in FIGURE 3 Where the coin pathis alined with channel 18'to form a coin passage. Thus, a coin 35 inserted therein as seen in FIGURE 2 moves down-.

ward through the passage. to the position 36; and on down channel 18 through successive positions, such as 1 those shown in dotted outline by numerals 37, 38 and 39 until the coin comes to rest in receptacle. 22. V 7

As the coin moves down the inclined path 34, it passes between the resilient electrical contacts 42. The resilient electrical contacts pass through holes 43 and are held in the position shown in FIGURE 3 by suitable means such as the small'washer 4-4. The washers are soldered or brazed to the path member as shown. Also it is preferred that the path members be made from an insulatmg material or the path members are otherwise insulated to keep the coin from short circuiting the equipment.

One of the copper brushes 42 is soldered or other.- wise connectedto electrical'lead 45 which has its, other is similarly attached to electrical lead 46 and lead 46 has its other end attached'to timer unit 65, for instance to i the motor 47 of the message means.

In fact, such an alternate position is shown in FIGURE 2 by the dotted lines ntuznbered 4%. V The movement of a coin or coins through the coin channel and the registry mechanism predisposes the Passage of dispenser to'dispense at least one article. the coin trips pivot arm 50 and this activates cooperating links 5 1 and 52 which causes the lock member 53 end attached to a power supply 59. The other brush 42:. 55

to move down and away from the depending member 54. This disconnects members 53 and 54 to permit depending member 54 to move forwardin cooperation with the pull on knob 12..

Sincethe carriage 14 '(best seen in FIGURES l, 2 and 4) moves in response to the movement of the knob, the carriage maymove from beneath the storage compartment'and thus allow the article selected to drop into the recesslike opening 15." The article may beremoved from opening 15 with-the hand to complete the Normally, the dispenser has .a means to prevent the dispensing 'of-more tharl one article at atime. One means for accomplishing this objective is shown in FIGURE 1 wherethe compartments 11 are equipped; with individual article holders 55, These. article hold; ersmay be turned" to position56 prior to loading the compartment with the merchandise 57 .When the article 57 is released upon actuation of .knob lzfthe holder drops to the position 58 asthe jack 59 movesupward V a step in response to the forward movement of the cam riage," Jack 59 moves upward one step. each time the carriagenmoves forwarduntil it reaches position 64} and the last article 57 is, dispensedto empty. the com 7 partment. I V

Instead of the mechanical mechanism for'predisposing a dispenser to dispense, an electrical device such as that shown in US. Patent 2,834,512 maybe used. In fact, the electrical devices for accomplishing this ap:

pears to be preferred bythe vending trade. 7

The audible message, means. cooperatively associated with thedispenser is shoWnschematica lly in block diagram in FIGURE 5 and it comprises in general apower switch 69 to momentarily open the switch at the terrnia nation ofsome predetermined period of time, Y Terminal I 66 is connected to conductor 89 at the terminal 70 by conductor '71. Terminal 67is connected to terminal 63 by conductor 64; 7

Switch 6910f the timer unit islcoupled in series with the coil of the relay 76 and the 'coin switch 74 by conductors 8t 81, 82, 8 3, 84, 85,7 88 and 89 respectively to form an actuation circuit-between the power lines 72 and 73. A coin between brushes 42 closes. switch 74 and thereby energizes motor 47 which closes switch'69 to energize relay 7610 close the normally; open single pole, single throw switches 77 and 'iSassociateid with the relay. V A V 7 When the coin moves past the brushesgs witc h 74 opens and breaks the actuation circuit but the opening of switch 74 does not de-energize relay coil 75. Since switches 77 and 78 are closed, the holding circuit keeps the relay energized. Specifically the 'holdin'gcircuit' is a circuit in parallel with the actuation and comprises conductors 80 and and switch 77 connected in series to relay 75 by successive conductors 96,- 97' and 83. Y T 1 Relay coil 75 remains'energiz ed until switch 69,. is momentarily opened by' the motor means 47, which has. a mechanical type coupling with switch 69 to open the switch after some predetermined time interval. Opening switch69 with switch 74 open stops the motor and thereby stops the reproduction of the messagej.

When switches 77 and 78 are closed by the relay,

switch '77 maintains the energizationof the timer unit 65 while switch78 simultaneously therewith energizes the playback unit 60; Playback'unit 60 has its terminal 100 connected to switch78 by leadsf104' and its terminal 101 is put in circuit with power line 73 by conductor 105. The audio output terminals 102 and 103, respectively, are connected to terminals 1'10'and111 of the'amplifier unit by conductors 1106 and 107. It is understood that the playback unit may be any of the conventional types, such as wire or tape recorders, capableof responding to electrical energization.

The audio amplifier unit may be of the conventional type or like the preferred form shown in FIGURE 6.

Amplifier unit 61 has its output lead connected to the speaker 62 by the respective conductors 114 and 115. These conductors have their respective ends connected to terminals 112, 113, of unit 61 and terminals 116 and 117.

A preferred method of mounting speaker 62 is shown in FIGURE 1 where the speaker in a suitable resonant box is attached to the front of the cabinet by four screws tapped into the cabinet. It should be readily apparent that the speaker may be positioned anywhere about or within the cabinet that is convenient.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, a preferred embodiment of the message means is shown comprising the compact unit 120 fitted in one of the storage compartments. The exact nature of compact unit 120 may be more clearly seen by referring to FIGURE 6 to see how the timer unit, playback unit and amplification unit are designed to fit in a package no larger than a carton of cigarettes.

Referring to FIGURE 6, it may be seen that the three switches 74, 130 and 131 are connected in parallel circuits. These three switches control the operation of motor 47 and thereby control the reproduction of the message stored on the message means 135. For example,

closing switch 74 starts motor 47 since it is connected in series with the motor between the power line 72 and 73 by the following conductors 136, 137, 138 and 139, 134 and 129. Motor 47 turns disk 150, which has at least one elongated member 151' projecting therefrom and, in response to the rotation of member 1151, switch 136 closes since member 151 no longer contacts resilient member 152 to hold it out of contact with the other arm 153 of switch 130.

Thus, the rotation of member 151 closes switch 131) and energizes the parallel holding circuit formed by it in conjunction with conductors 132, 133 and 134. Since the-holding circuit is energized, motor 47 continues to operate when switch 74 opens until the rotation of disk 150 brings one of the projecting members 151 into contact again with resilient member 152 to break the contact between the arms of svw'tch 130. The de-energization of the hold circuit, upon the opening of switch 130, stops motor 47 and the play'of the message.

Disk 150 has a message storage means 135 associated with its circumference 155. This message storage means may be an electro-rnagnetic tape, a wire or an inline magnetic substance attached to the surface of the disk which permits a message to be transferred to the mes-sage storage means by any of a number of methods well known to the art.

Rotation of disk 150 passes the message storage means beneath a pick-up means 156 The passage of the message storage means beneath the pick-up head, which is shown as the low impedance type in FIGURE 6, gencrates a fluxuating voltage into the circuit of amplification unit 61. Other types of pick-up heads may be used but the low impedance type uses less power.

Referring again to FIGURE 6, the embodiment of the amplifier unit comprises three transistors connected in series by means of transformer type couplings. Although the various stages of the amplification system are shown coupled by means of transformers in FIGURE 6, other means of coupling the amplification stages may be used, for example, a capacitive or inductive type coupling. It should also be understood that NPN type transistors may be used instead of the PNP type shown in FIGURE 6 provided the circuit is modified to give the proper bias to the circuit. Also, any of the many kinds of triodes and pentodes tubes may be used but the power requirements will be greater than for the transistor system.

The base of transistor 160 in the first stage amplification circuitis connected to the output side 161 of the nal 163 is grounded to the compact unit housing but the collector terminal 164 is joined by conductor .165 to the primary of transformer 166." The output side of the primary of transformer 166 is connected to terminal 168 by conductor 169 which is in circuit with the negative pole of the battery 17% by means of conductors 171, 172, 173, 174 and 1'75. Terminal 168 is also in circuit with the input side of the pick-up head by means of conductors 176, 177 and 178 and resistance 179.

The secondary winding of transformer 166 has one side thereof joined to terminal 1% via the conductors 181 and 182 and resistance 183, and the other side thereof connects to the base of transistor 184 by lead 185. The emitter terminal of transistor 184 is grounded and the collector terminal is in circuit with the primary 186 of'transformer 187 which in turn isconnected to terminal 188 by conductor 189. Similarly, the secondary winding of transformer 187 in the third amplification stage is connected to terminal 190 via conductors 191 and 192 and the resistance 193. The output side of transformer 187 is connected to the base of transistor 194, which has its emitter grounded and its collector connected to the primary of the speaker transformer 195. Thus, the power output of the secondary windingof the speaker transformer is used to operate the speaker 62 which is in closed circuit therewith. Hence, it is apparent that the voltage generated by passage of the message storage means pass the pick-up means is amplified sufliciently to operate speaker 62, provided the various components are of the proper size and capacity to operate the speaker. These values are indicated in FIGURE 6 for the preferred embodiment.

It is apparent to those skilled in the art that part of the amplified current is fed back to the preceding amplification stage and that under certain conditions the circuit would become degenerative. Therefore, the respective resistances 179, 183 and 193 are used to give the proper bias to their respective transistors and the grounded capacitors 1G0, 161 and 102 respectively are used to prevent the circuit from becoming degenerative. V

To smooth out any fluctuation in voltage supplied by the battery or other equivalent power source, the negative and positive sides thereof are connected by capacitor 103. The positive side of the battery is connected to switch 104,

which is preferable of the same construction as switch 130.

The construction of switch 104 is seen best in FIGURE 8 where the switch 104 is mounted on support element in a manner analogous to the mount used for switch 130.

ner analogous to that described for switch 130. The negative pole of switch 104 is grounded to the electrical comthe holding circuit, the holding circuit is re-energized.

Thus, the message means continues to play the message until member 151 again contactsswitch 130.

. It is obvious that a message, for example, of solicitation would be incongruous after the buyer purchases the desired article; therefore, the size of the disk and the speed of motor 47 are preferably chosen to permit one revolution of the disk'to play a message not to exceed about 30 seconds in length. Although longer playing time may be provided, applicant has found 3 to 5 seconds to be the most effective sales promoter. In this regard it is essential that the speed of the message storage means pass the pickup means be the same as that at which the Switch 104 is opened and closed by member 151 in a mani message is placed on the message storage means to obtainthe best reproduction of the message.

In the preferred operation, disk 150 .has two projec- Hons-151 so spaced onthe'side of the disk to control the" length of the message. Thus, thefirst part of the message would be played until projection 1 comes into-contact with switch 130 and then when switch 131 is closed, the second partof the message is played. 1

A further advantageous feature of the embodiment of FIGURE 6 is the elimination of a means to move the.

pick-up head transversely of the disk to play a plurality of messages stored in side by side relationship around the circumferenceof the disk. Also, the conductors of the v embodiment 'shownmay be of the printed circuit type.

andthus contribute to the compactness of the message means.

This application is a continuation-in-part of an application filed August 4, 1958, and bearing, Serial Number 75 2,8 44', now abandoned, for, Coin Operated Dispenser 3 Having a Message Means.

Whatis claimed is: V 1. In a coin operated talking article dispenser including a multiple means for storing articles to be dispensed,; a coin receiving means for selecting and ejecting an article from the dispenser after activation thereof by the insertion ofthe correct number of coin(s) into said coin receiving means,"and an audible message means'cooperatively con nected with said coin receiving means, the improvement comprising a means for starting and timing the playing of a message by the audible message means upon the insertionfof the correct number of 'coin(s) into the coin receiving means prior to the selection of: the article, and a means activatable by the operation of the means for se-- 'le'cting the desired article to reactivate the means for starting and timingthe playing ofa second messageby the audible message means. 7 V 2. In the dispenser of-claim 1, the improvement wherein the-message means is unitized, and the unit fits Within one of the article storage means.

3. In a'coin operated talking article dispenser including a multiple meansfor storing articles to be dispensed,

a'coin receiving means for selecting and ejecting an article iron-1 the dispenser after activation thereof by the insertion of the correct number of coin(s) into said coin receiving' means, and an audible message means coopera-t tively connected with said coin receiving means, the im provement'comprising a means for starting and timing the Y 1 playing of a message by the audible message means which means for starting and timing the playing of a message is activated solely by the insertion of the correct number of 'coin;(s) into the. coin receiving means and prior to the selecti'on of'the article purchased, and a means activatable by the operation of themeans for selecting the desired article toreactivate the means for s playing of a second message by the audible message means.

4. In the dispenser of claim 3, the, improvement where= in the message means has a fixed "pick-up. head and the message retaining .means travels relative toijsaidf head. i

' 5. In a coin operated 'tallcing article dispenser including 7 a multiple meansfor storing articlesto be dispensed, a com receiving means for selecting and ejecting an article from the dispenser after activation thereof by the insertion of the correct number of co.in(s) into said coin receiving means, and an audible message means cooperatively con:

I nected with said'coin receiving means, the improvement within one of the individual article storage compartments. 1

comprising providing a means that starts the playing of the message or" the audible message means upon the insertion, of the correct number of coin(s) into the, coin receiving means to thereby obtain the cooperative connection between the coin receiving means and the audible message means and a meansfor timing, the playing of the message. i V

6. In thedispenser of claim 5,'the improvement where I in the audible message means is unitized, said unit fitting 7. In, a coin operated dispenser including-a multiple means for storing articles to be dispensed, a coin receiving means for selecting and ejecting an article from the dispenser after activation thereofby: the insertion of the correct number of coin(s) into saidcoin receiving means, and an audiblemessage :means cooperatively connected with said coin receiving means, the improvement comprising providing a means for starting and timing the playing of a, message by the audiblemessage means, which means for starting andtiming the playing of a messageis activated solely by the'insertionof the correct number of coin('s) intorthe coinwreceivingjmeans and prior to the References Cited by the..Esan1inerf j UNITED ,STATESQIATENTS 2,421,835 6/47v Durant V 194 -15 2,626,785 1/53 Lewis et a1. 194 V-15 2,679,917 6/54 Andres V ,1,94-'1'5X LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

' RAPHAELM. LUPo, Examiner.

tartingia nd timing the 

5. IN A COIN OPERATED TALKING ARTICLE DISPENSER INCLUDING A MULTIPLE MEANS FOR STORING ARTICLES TO BE DISPENSED, A COIN RECEIVING MEANS FOR SELECTING AND EJECTING AN ARTICLE FROM THE DISPENSER AFTER ACTIVATION THEREOF BY THE INSERTION OF THE CORRECT NUMBER OF COIN(S) INTO SAID COIN RECEIVING MEANS, AND AN AUDIBLE MESSAGE MEANS COOPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID COIN RECEIVING MEANS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING PROVIDING A MEAN THAT STARTS THE PLAYING OF THE MESSAGE OF THE AUDIBLE MESSAGE MEANS UPON THE INSERTION OF THE CORRECT NUMBER OF COIN(S) INTO THE COIN RECEIVING MEANS TO THEREBY OBTAIN THE COOPERATIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE COIN RECEIVING MEANS AND THE AUDIBLE MESSAGE MEANS AND A MEANS FOR TIMING THE PLAYING OF THE MESSAGE. 